Premier trainer Chris Waller has convinced the most successful group 1 jockey in the country, Damien Oliver, to come to Sydney to ride Dealmaker in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Group 1 call-up: Damien Oliver will ride the Chris Waller-trained Dealmaker in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on Saturday
With Hugh Bowman and Kerrin McEvoy required for Winx and Youngstar in the Turnbull Stakes, Waller was left searching for a jockey after Dealmaker's successful barrier trial on Friday with most of the jockeys already booked.
“We shot ourself in the foot a bit with Hugh And Kerrin being in Melbourne and our other regular riders were booked,” Waller said. “We rang Damien and he was happy to come for a good ride in a group 1.
"We have supported him with a couple of other rides on Saturday and I think he could have a good day.”
Oliver will miss the Turnbull ride on Grunt, on which he scored his 110th group 1 win in the Makybe Diva Stakes last month, to travel to Sydney, where he also has rides on The Avenger, Metamorphic and Performer in the Roman Consul Stakes.
Dealmaker hasn’t been seen since being photo-finished into second by Tarka in the Stan Fox Stakes four weeks ago due to a minor setback, with a temperature spike meaning he missed the Gloaming Stakes.
Waller gave the clean-winded Dealmaker the barrier trial last Friday to check that he would be right to run in the Spring Champion, which had been his target this preparation.
“He had that setback, but he has returned a good blood profile since and he did what I wanted in the barrier trial,” Waller said.
“He is a naturally athletic horse and he was very strong at the end of 1500m in the Stan Fox. We have always thought he would get over this sort of trip and he is fit enough to step up.
"The prospect of a wet track doesn't worry us with him because has won and been placed on them in the past."
Dealmaker has been rated a $7 second favourite behind impressive Gloaming Stakes winner Thinkin’ Big at $3.40 for Saturday’s group 1.
Tarka and Spring Stakes winner Aramayo are on the next line of betting at $7.50 with Mickey Blue Eyes and Purple Sector, which back-up from running winning and running third in the Dulcify Stakes last week, at $9.
Oliver's another main ride at Randwick will be Performer but the colt would prefer firmer footing according to Waller, who has taken the blinkers off him.
"It is the first time he gets into a set-weights race this preparation. He has been giving weight away to some smart horse, so I think he could be an improver," Waller said. "However he is one that would be vulnerable on a wet track."
Meanwhile, Waller prepared another winning treble with Orcein, Palmateer and Scratches at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
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